Chamber Soiree

The Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Holiday Soiree on Tuesday, December 4 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. upstairs at Fifth Avenue. Enjoy musical entertainment, food provided by local restaurants, a cash bar and Royal Oak Trivia. Brush up on your Royal Oak history and get ready to win some fun prizes! It will be a fun and festive networking opportunity. Tickets are $20 per person. Register.

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Royal Oak Orchestra Holiday

Nothing brings holiday cheer like music. Starting with pre-concert entertainment by The Gentlemen Songsters, the Royal Oak Orchestra will light up the holiday season with A Canadian Brass Christmas
Suite from the Opera, “The Snow Maiden” by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Carol Symphony by Victor Hely-Hutchinson, and The King and I by Richard Rodgers. The orchestra will play under the direction of John McLaughlin Williams on Friday, December 7 at 8 p.m. at Royal Oak Middle School, Dondero Auditorium.

Tickets are available at RoyalOakOrchestra.org or at the ticket desk on December 7. Ticket prices are $15 for adults, $12 for Seniors (60+) or college students and free for ages 18 and under. Or purchase a package of four flex tickets. Call (248) 549-0262 with questions.

Royal Oak Holiday Glow

Come to Washington Avenue in downtown Royal Oak for the traditional and the spectacular on Friday, December 7 from 5 to 10 p.m. and Saturday, December 8 from 12 to 10 p.m. The Royal Oak Holiday Glow will feature traditional holiday fun such as photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, live reindeer, horse drawn carriage rides, letters to Santa and caroling. Step out of the cold and into a Winter Market, with hot beverages, bar and music in a warming tent on Fifth Ave. Collect cookies during the Cookie Crawl on Saturday from 1 – 6 p.m. Marvel at live ice carving demonstrations each day. And for a fabulous finale, massive hot-air balloons will peek above the treetops and buildings in Downtown Royal Oak. Gather to see the balloons glow, like large holiday bulbs and illuminate the sky. Children will have an opportunity to look inside the baskets and pull the rope to the burners. At the end of the night, the pilots will host a synchronize flicker event, weather permitting. If the winds are too strong for the hot air balloons, there will be a Torch of Fire event. Some activities require tickets.

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Auditions for “Sondheim on Sondheim”

Be a part of this tribute to one of musical theatre’s greatest composers and lyricists. The eight-member cast will perform two dozen songs intertwined with video of interviews with Sondheim and photos and clips from his life and work. Auditions will be December 10 and 11 on Stagecrafters 2nd Stage. Registration is 6:30 p.m. and auditions begin at 7 p.m. both days. Performances will be March 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10. More information.

It’s a Swingin’ Holiday at the Library

Come tap your toes to The RJ Spangler Quartet, presenting a Swingin’ Holiday, featuring trumpeter James O’Donnell. O’Donnell has built a name for himself around town as an original trumpet stylist as well as an engaging singer. Enjoy an afternoon of holiday music presented by a Detroit original on Saturday, December 1, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in the Royal Oak Public Library’s Friends Auditorium. Register.

Also note:  The Royal Oak Public Library will be closed for Thanksgiving November 22 – 25.

Turkey Vultures: The Ghoulish Gourmand

Find out about these masters of the migratory winds who often go unappreciated for their vital job as part of nature’s clean-up crew. Dorothy McLeer, Program Coordinator and an Interpretive Naturalist at the University of Michigan-Dearborn Environmental Interpretive Center, will speak on Wednesday, December 5 at 7:30 p.m. at the Royal Oak Middle School. She’ll share turkey vultures’ surprising “tricks of the trade” and unique adaptations as the ghoulish gourmand of the bird world, as well as good locations in our area to observe the phenomenon of seasonal raptor migration.

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Shovel it Forward

This winter, the City of Royal Oak is asking all property owners—residential and commercial—to join the Shovel It Forward movement and keep our sidewalks free of snow and ice. When sidewalks are clear, it increases the safety and mobility of everyone – from those with disabilities to children walking to school.

Six things you can do to shovel it forward:

• Apply the 7-10 rule. Anytime it snows between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., pledge to clear your walks by 10 p.m. If it snows between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m., pledge to clear your walks by 10 a.m.
• Help your elderly or disabled neighbors remove snow and ice from steps and sidewalks.
• Shovel your entire sidewalk. Clear a path at least at least 36 inches wide for people using wheelchairs and strollers.
• If your property is adjacent to curb ramps or bus shelters, pledge to help keep them clear of snow and ice.
• Don’t shovel or push snow into the street.

To share your news, announcements, and events, please email citynewseditor@localbiznews.net

Ever Wonder Where Peter Pan Came From?

Peter and the Starcatcher is the fantastical adventure about how Peter Pan came to be. On a ship bound for the island of Rundoon, three orphan boys befriend Molly, daughter of Starcatcher Lord Aster, who is on a secret mission for the Queen of England. Their precious cargo is starstuff, powerful magical dust that must not fall into the wrong hands. When the villainous Black Stache and his band of pirates attack the ship, one orphan finds his courage and a legend is born. November 30 – December 2, 6-9, 13-16 live at the Baldwin Theater. Tickets for Thu. are $23 and Fri, Sat, Sun are $27.

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Help Design the New Downtown Park

If you’d like to help design the new downtown park, you can take this online survey. The survey is a tool to help the park designers establish the “look and feel” of the future park. It will help determine the style and character, as well as some of the features people would like to see in the park. The survey will show you a series of images and ask you to choose which image you prefer. It takes about 10 to 15 minutes. The images represent general design styles, not specific products. If you don’t like any of the images just choose the most favorable one.

Drop In For Lunch with the Chamber

The Royal Oak Chamber Ambassador Committee invites you to their Drop-In Lunch, on Thurs., Nov. 15 at 11:30 a.m. All are welcome. Community members are invited to bring a friend or co-worker for networking and good food. No RSVP required. Lunch will be at Olga’s at 30332 Woodward Ave.

Ask an Expert

Get a free 30-minute appointment to ask your legal or tax questions.

Soren Andersen has completed 40 years of law practice, mostly as a sole practitioner private attorney. His practice includes consumer and small business issues, debtors’ rights and creditors remedies, real estate transactions, probate administration, and estate planning. He will be at the Senior Center on Nov. 21 and Dec. 19, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Hantz Financial experts will provide financial and tax advice and assist with understanding 2018 tax law reform and potential tax impacts on Thurs, Nov. 15 at 10 a.m.

Call (248) 246-3900 for appointments.

What to do with your Jack-O-Lantern after Halloween

Old pumpkins are considered yard waste. You can put pumpkins, cornstalks, hay bales and any other organic Halloween decorations out with your yard waste through December 21, 2018. Put pumpkins weighing less than 40 pounds in a paper landscape bag or a 32-gallon container marked “YARD WASTE.” Cornstalks need to be under 4 feet long. Hay bales need to be dry and weigh less than 40 pounds. They do not need to be bagged.

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Mammals of Tenhave

Learn about our local creatures on Sat., Nov. 10, at 2 p.m. at Tenhave Woods. Tenhave Woods encompasses about 22 acres and was named in 1999 after Hessel Tenhave, a Dondero High School biology teacher. He taught in Royal Oak for 34 years and often used the woods to impress the importance and beauty of the environment on his students. It is home to numerous mammals and participants will look for signs of them, see their skulls and skins and learn about them and how they live. Parking for the program is at the Lexington and Marais lot. Participants should meet at the Lexington entrance.

Holiday Survival Guide

The holidays can be a minefield of potential disasters, from over-eating to online gift scams. In “How to Safely Destress for the Holidays,” staff from Waltonwoods Senior Living of Royal Oak provide tips on surviving safely and sanely.

Join Waltonwoods Senior Living for lunch on Tues, Nov. 20 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., and learn about advertising scams, online safety and identity theft. Learn gift-shopping skills like budgeting and organizing lists. And get valuable information about healthy holiday eating, meal prep, physical fitness, and driving safely in the changing weather. Shoveling snow? Learn about fall risks and proper positioning. And learn how to enjoy an active and social holiday.  Register by Nov. 15, 2018. Call (248) 246-3900 for more information.

March to Benefit Veterans

Ferndale, Hazel Park and Royal Oak are joining together for a 5K ruck march through the three communities. A ruck march is a fast walk with a weighted backpack or ruck. In the Armed Forces, participants carry at least 45 pounds in their rucks. Event participants will carry at least 22 pounds or 22 items. This number represents the average number of veterans who commit suicide each day in the United States. By carrying at least 22 pounds of food or 22 personal items, participants will show support for veterans, metaphorically helping to shoulder their burden.

Funds raised from the $22 entry fee will be donated to the Michigan WWII Legacy Memorial. Food and other items collected at the event will go to Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 154. Registration includes a t-shirt. Registration is free for active and retired military and children under 10 without a t-shirt or $5 with a t-shirt. The event will march through Green Acres Park Hazel Park, Martin Road Park Ferndale and VFW Park Royal Oak on Sat., Nov. 10, starting at 10 a.m. Register. Learn more at 22ruck.com.

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ROSES Seeking Top Talent

The Royal Oak Senior Essential Services, or ROSES is looking for reliable, dependent self-motivators to assist with fall yard clean-up and snow removal for Royal Oak seniors. Qualified individuals will be paid for their labor. Please contact Pam Steinmetz at 248-246-3918 or Dorothy LaSure at 248-246-3919. Applicants must be able to pass a background check. For more information about the ROSES Program, contact the Mahany/Meininger Senior Community Center.

Eat Smart, Live Strong

East Smart, Live Strong is a program presented by the Michigan State University Extension. It is aimed at helping older adults eat more fruits and vegetables and get more active. With social and interactive sessions for adults age 55 and older, it helps participants gain the skills to make healthy behavior changes. Sessions are about one hour. There is no fee.  It includes six sessions at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays, Nov. 13, Dec. 13, Jan. 8, Feb. 12 and Mar. 12. Attendance at four sessions is required to graduate. Call 248-246-3900 for more information.

Count Your Lucky Cards

The Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Euchre Tournament on Friday, November 9 at 6 p.m. at the Mirepoix Cooking School, inside the Holiday Market at 1203 S. Main St. There will be cash prizes and raffle prizes. Tickets are $20, and proceeds benefit Chamber Scholarship Fund, which helps seniors in Royal Oak schools pursue educational opportunities in business fields after graduation. Visit the Chamber of Commerce website to register no later than 3 p.m., November 2.

The Library is Getting a Makeover

To kick off the new streetscaping on 11 Mile Road, the library’s north entrance is getting a new look. The existing pavement and stairs will be replaced with a new ADA-compliant. The north entrance, which has been closed to the public for nearly a decade will open to a view of the new ornamental street lights, trees with grates and stamped concrete. Library hours and programs will not be affected by the work, but the turn lane on 11 Mile north of the library will be closed during construction and the curbside book drop-off box will be moved to the city parking lot P4 behind the police department. The sidewalk is expected to reopen in December and the drop off box will be returned to its usual spot.

Election Inspectors Needed

The City of Royal Oak needs election inspectors for the November 6, 2018 election. Inspectors will open, set up and close the polling locations, issue ballots to voters and assist voters. Qualified individuals have computer experience, good clerical skills and transportation, are available the full day on election day, are at least 18 year of age and are qualified and registered electors in the state of Michigan. This is a paid position. For complete information, visit the job posting.

Young People Speak on Mental Health

In the United States, there are 1 million suicide attempts every year. At 19, Kevin Hines attempted to take his life by jumping from the Golden Gate Bridge. “Suicide; The Ripple Effect” is a feature-length documentary that follows his journey to become a mental health advocate and tells the stories of others who use their tragedies to send a message of recovery, and wellness.

The evening will be an interactive teen awareness event presenting young voices talking about mental health and how to help a friend.

There is no charge, and the evening includes a free dinner, the film, resource tables, give-a-ways and prizes. Monday, October 29, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Royal Oak Library auditorium. Please Register in advance.